Room divider



Dec. 21, 1965 v. G. HABERTHIER ,4

ROOM DIVIDER Filed March 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR [7a lVincenf G. Haberfhier a 5 BY ATTORNEYS Dec. 21, 1965 v, HABERTHlER3,224,489

ROOM DIVIDER Filed March 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Vi n cenf G. Haberfhier 3 I I n B 2'0 0 I30 I4 g ATTORNEYS United States Patent Office3,224,489 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 3,224,489 ROOM DIVIDER Vincent G.Haberthier, R0. Box 204, Limon, Colo. Filed Mar. 14, 1963, Ser. No.265,249 Claims. (Cl. 160l35) This invention relates to demountable orcollapsible furniture.

Ornamental folding screens are extensively used in interior decoration,particularly where visual separation or division of areas is desired.Three panel screens are quite common and other pluralities up to six areused to a less degree because of extra weight and difliculty ofmanipulation. Most folding screens are light enough to be carried fromone location to another without undue effort, and this has the advantageof easy removal from an established location where full use of the spacein such location is required, either on a temporary or permanent basis.

Such folding screens have little utility value other than as decorationand in providing a temporary partition. In addition, such screens arenot stable and may be upset by wind gusts, impact with moving bodies orobjects, or other causes. Where the face of the panels is a fabric,serious damage frequently results from such upsets.

The present invention provides an innovation in interior decoration bycombining utility features in a folding screen affording a Wide varietyof arrangements and decorative effects in a stable but easilydemountable structural assembly. The stability of the assembly isprovided by an interlocked console portion which may be used as aserver, desk, or article support. When desired, consoles may be mountedon fore and aft portions of the assembly, and each portion may befinished and decorated to harmonize with the area it faces. Variationsin the interlocking arrangement permit selective shaping of the assemblyincluding complete circumferential enclosures functioning as cabinets,closets or storage containers, or open shapes may be used as roomdividers, or as decorative utility articles placed against walls, orfitted in corners of a room.

It is an object of my invention to provide an ornamental screen andconsole assembly formed of lightweight components which are easilymanipulated and transported, which may be stored in a small space whennot in use, and which may be partially disassembled and rearranged in aquick and easy manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide an ornamental screen andconsole assembly which may be fabricated with a variety of materials ina choice of color and decorative effects to harmonize with the color anddecoration of the areas faced on opposite sides or faces of theassembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ornamental screen andconsole assembly having hinged panel portions selectively interlockedwith demountable fore and aft console portions.

Other objects reside in novel details of construction and novelcombinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be set forthin detail in the course of the following description.

The practice of my invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings illustrating typical structural arrangements andinstallations. In the drawings, in the several views of which like partsbear similar reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is an isometric View showing a typical six panel assemblyarranged as a room divider with provision for article support along bothfaces of the assembly;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 and drawn to areduced scale;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another assembly arrangement providing anenclosure;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of a typical panel unit of the type utilizedin the assemblies of FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the panel of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6 and drawn to anenlarged scale.

FIG. 1 depicts a typical assembly utilized in the practice of myinvention that is particularly suited for a use as a room divider. Thescreen 11 is formed of a plurality of panels 12 in hinged connection asshown at 15 and arranged in groups. One group of two forms a centralportion 11a, individual panels 12 form the end portions 11b of thescreen, and single panels 12 form the intermediate portion between thecentral and end portions.

Each panel has a forward and rear face in different color combinationsand bearing different ornamentation, preferably selected to harmonizewith the decor in the room area toward which the respective faces aredirected. The panel 12 is formed by forward and rear frame members 13aand 1312 (FIG. 3) between which a sheet or strip 13x of screen materialis held. Fastening means, preferably a horizontally disposed cleat 14a,extend across the forward face 13a of each panel and similar fasteningmeans 14b extend across the rear face 13b for securing a deck or consolemember in the assembly and providing stabilizing support for the screen.

As shown, the several fastening means 14a and 14b are in a common planeand at a common elevation, but the fastening means on face 13:: may beat a different elevation than the fastening means on face 13b when userequirements make such an arrangement preferable. The deck member 16 inFIG. 1 has its rear end shaped to establish the angular relationship ofthe groups of panels 11a, 11b and 110 and its forward end issubstantially parallel thereto as best shown in FIG. 2. Fastening means17a extend along the rear end 16a and sides 16b of panel 16 for joiningwith the fastening means 14a, thereby holding the adjoining panels 12 infixed relation to deck 16.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the interfitting cleats provide afriction grip which prevents wobble or tilting. However, the outer edgeof the deck 16 is disposed at a substantial distance from the supportingpanels 12 and may tend to sag to a slight degree under the weight ofheavy objects supported on its top surface. Optionally, upright supports19 may be mounted in the base portion of the central panels 11a andconnect with deck 16 at its outer corners to provide additional support.

Another deck member 18 carrying fastening means such as cleats 17b isfitted in the cleats 1412 along the rear face 13!) of the respectivepanels 12 and provides another stabilizing support for the assembly. Thetotal deck area of the assembly provides substantial space for articlesupport and may be used for utilitarian purposes, such as food andbeverage preparation and service, as well as regular support of objectsplaced thereon for continuing usage, such as clocks, phone instruments,sound transmission units or the like, and items of decor such as glassware, pottery and art objects.

Another type of assembly utilizing a plurality of panels 12 in hingedconection has been shown in FIG. 4. In this assembly, the panels 12 arearranged to form a complete enclosure which may be used as a wardrobe,storage container or the like. Three hinged connections are provided andat a fourth corner 23 the hinging is omitted. Likewise, fastening meansare omitted on the outer surface of the panels, or removed when thescreen is to have multi-purpose usage, and the fastening means 14x onthe inner surface are disposed in a common plane. A deck 22 hascooperating fastening means, such as cleats, disposed along its ends andlocks or holds opposite sides of the assembly in fixed relation. Panel12x abutting shelf 22 is thus free to swing about its hinges 15 toprovide access to the interior as required.

One of the distinctive features of the present invention is theprovision of multiple panel screens of lightweight construction adaptedto be disposed in different angular relations and interfitted with adeck or console member to provide a stabilizing support for the screenassembly, and having a utilitarian function as Well. The assembliesshown in the drawings are merely representative of the arrangements thatmay be utilized, and by providing a plurality of diiferently shaped deckmembers the screen panels may be moved into different arrangements andheld securely in such arrangements by interfitting connection with aselected deck shaped to provide such connection. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7illustrate a typical panel construction. While a variety of materialsmay be utilized in fabricating the panels, I prefer to use a woodenframework and a decorated fabric facing material. As shown in FIG. 7,the panel framework comprises front and back strips of wood, such asplywood, with the fabric stretched, fastened and clamped between thestrips. A variety of fabrics are suitable for such usage, such ascanvas, buckram, silk or nylon strips.

In fabricating, the forward and rearward framing portions are assembledby joining in any suitable manner such as glued tongue and groovejoints. A strip of selected fabric is cut to conform to the framework,contour and dimension and is tacked along one edge to one of the framingsections. It is then drawn and tacked along the four sides of theframework after which the front and rear framing sections are joined asby gluing, nailing or with screws to form the panel as an integralstructure.

The faces 13a and 13b of the panel are next decorated by application ofan ornamentation material such as a plaster composition. Where bothfaces 13a and 13b are to be so ornamented, a special type of plastercomposition will be used to prevent the peeling of the plaster from oneface of the panel while the plaster is being applied to the oppositeface. I have found that a mixture of Durhams patching plaster and Elmersglue mixed approximately in equal parts with sufficient water added toproduce the desired wet plaster consistency will effectively hold duringapplication and on setting provides a durable ornamentation.

The consistency of the plaster to be applied to the panel will varysomewhat according to the method of application. It may be applied bybrush, in which case a rather watery consistency is desirable for easyapplication. If it is to be applied by trowel or a putty knife, a stickyconsistency is preferable and the amount of water added will be reducedsubstantially to provide the proper condition. In all such applicationsthe plaster mix may include color pigments if desired. After applicationby the methods described, the mixture will dry rather quickly at ambienttemperatures and once dried has a tenacious bond with the supportingfabric.

For many purposes it will be preferable not to include color pigment tothe plaster mix and to leave the choice of color to the purchaser.Various paints, lacquers, and similar coloring agents may be applied toboth the wooden framework members and the panel facing. Wherelightweight fabrics are employed they usually will not be colored afterinstallation, and are provided in selected colors for harmonizing wtihthe colors applied to the other portions of the panel. As notedpreviously, it will be desirable in most instances to have difierentornamentation and color combinations on the front and rear faces of thepanel, although good decorator effects may be provided by pre-selectingcolor combinations and completing the decorations of the panel in theoriginal fabrication.

Another feature of the screen assembly of my invention is the provisionfor a hinging connection of panels along their sides. Preferably suchhinges have a removable pin portion permitting quick and easy assemblyand dis assembly. This permits adding or removing panels to provide anydesired plurality, and in many instances the owner will use oneplurality when the screen is placed in one location and a differentplurality when it is moved to a different location.

In merchandising, the components of s screen assembly may be stored andshipped in containers such as cardboard boxes or cartons with aspecified number of panels included. After purchase, the user may retainthe carton for storage of spare parts, including extra panels and decks,so that when the assembled screen is moved from one location to anotherit may be partially disassembled, rearranged and assembled for the userequirements of the new location.

Changes and modifications may be availed of within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the hereunto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A demountable ornamental screen and console combination comprising aplurality of upright screen panels hingedly joined to form an integralassembly disposed in a plurality of converging planes, cleat meansdisposed on each of said panels at a common elevation, at least oneshelf member having cleat means, the cleat means of said panels and saidshelf member including substantially continuous portions extending alongthe adjoining portions of said panels and said shelf member and beingfitted together in frictional interfitting relation to detachablyconnect said shelf member to said panels so as to bridge a face of saidpanel assembly and hold the panel assembly in a stabilizedconfiguration.

2. A demountable ornamental screen and console combination comprising aplurality of upright screen panels hingedly joined to form an integralassembly disposed in a plurality of converging planes forming a box-likeenclosure, cleat means connected to each of said panels at a commonelevation, a box-like shelf member having cleat means, the cleat meansof said panels and said shelf members including substantially continuousportions extending along the adjoining portions of said panels and saidshelf member and being fitted together in frictional interfittingrelation to detachably connect said shelf member to said panels so as tobridge the enclosure and hold the panels in a stabilized configuration.

3. A demountable ornamental screen and console combination comprising aplurality of upright screen panels hingedly joined to form an integralassembly disposed in a plurality of converging planes, cleat meansdisposed on each of said panels extending outwardly and upwardlytherefrom forming a substantially continuous channel of upper horizontaland vertical supporting surfaces at a common elevation, at least oneshelf member having cleat means extending downwardly and forming asubstantially continuous surface along at least one side and endthereof, the cleat means of said shelf member being fitted together infrictional interfitting relation with said supporting surfaces todetachably connect said shelf member to said panels so as to bridge aface of said panel assembly and hold the panel assembly in a stabilizedconfiguration.

4. A demountable ornamental screen and console combination comprising aplurality of upright screen panels hingedly joined to form an integralassembly disposed in a plurality of converging planes, cleat meansdisposed on each of said panels at a common elevation, at least oneshelf member having cleat means, the cleat means of said panels and saidshelf member including substantially continuous portions extending alongthe adjoining portions of said panels and said shelf member and beingfitted together in frictional interfitting relation to detachablyconnect said shelf member to said panels so as to bridge a face of saidpanel assembly and hold the panel assembly in a stabilizedconfiguration, and a plurality of spaced upright braces detachablysecured to base portions of said panels to outwardly extended portionsof said shelf so as to prevent tilting of said shelf member.

5. A demountable ornamental screen and console combination comprising aplurality of upright screen panels hingedly joined to form an integralassembly disposed in a plurality of converging planes, cleat meansdisposed on each of said panels at a common elevation at their forwardand rearward faces, a pair of shelf members each having cleat means, thecleat means of said panels and said shelf members includingsubstantially continuous portions extending along the adjoining portionsof said panels and said shelf members and being fitted together infrictional interfitting relation to detachably connect said shelf 6members to said panels at said forward and rearward faces, respectively,so as to bridge said faces of said panel assembly and hold the panelassembly in a stabilized configuration.

References Cited by the Examiner HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiner.

1. A DEMOUNTABLE ORNAMENTAL SCREEN AND CONSOLE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF UPRIGHT SCREEN PANELS HINGEDLY JOINED TO FORM AN INTEGRAL ASSEMBLY DISPOSED IN A PLURALITY OF CONVERGING PLANES, CLEAT MEANS DISPOSED EACH OF SAID PANELS AT A COMMON ELEVATION, AT LEAST ONE SHELF MEMBER HAVING CLEAT MEANS, THE CLEAT MEANS OF SAID PANELS AND SAID SHELF MEMBER INCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUS PORTIONS EXTENDING ALONG THE ADJOINING PORTIONS OF SAID PANELS AND SAID SHELF MEMBER AND BEING FITTED TOGETHER IN FRICTIONAL INTERFITTING RELATION TO DETACHABLY CONNECT SAID SHELF MEMBER TO SAID PANELS SO AS TO BRIDGE A FACE OF SAID PANEL ASSEMBLY AND HOLD THE PANEL ASSEMBLY IN A STABILIZED CONFIGURATION. 